Top Consumer Reviews

Read what other owners think about the 2017 Volkswagen Passat

(44)

Consumer Rating

Adam, 11/27/2016

Surprisingly Good

I recently leased a 2017 Passat R-Line and I have to say I am surprised by how good it is. I'm pretty OCD and normally take a long time and make careful decisions. I cross-shopped it with other mid-size sedans, mainly the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu, and Ford Fusion. Basically I rented or test drove all the main mid-sizers except the Subaru Legacy. In terms of handling, the Passat is middling. It is a bit bouncy and feels just a bit floaty at high speeds (over 80 mph, which is normal speed on SoCal freeways when not congested). Of all of them, the best driving were the Mazda 6, Ford Fusion, and Honda Accord, followed by the Malibu, Optima and Passat, with the Sonata bringing up the rear. In terms of comfort, however, by far the most comfortable was the Passat, both for the front seats and especially the crazy large backseats. It also feels very airy and the sight lines are very good (except to the direct rear, where high back headrests intrude a little). The little 1.8 liter turbo engine is a champ. It felt at least as powerful as the base engines in the other mid-sizers, and more powerful than some. Yeah, its 170 horsepower doesn't sound very impressive, but its 184 lb ft of torque is always there and gives really good oomph. I will check mpg when I've had it for longer. In terms of technology and infotainment, I would say the Passat ranks pretty well, but is not the best. The R-Line has the key safety features I was looking for: Wide angle rear camera, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitor, and forward collision alert with emergency braking. The one feature it is missing which I wanted was adaptive cruise control - I would have needed to go up to the SE With Technology for that (I think Edmunds lists it in the normal SE, which seems to be a rare error by Edmunds). One possible safety issue: The headlights aren't the best. I have the halogens - the LED headlights are supposed to be a bit better, but mine doesn't have them. I can see fine with the halogens, but they aren't very bright and some people might wish for more brightness. In terms of looks, I would say the Passat is attractive from all angles, especially the back and side, although I think looks are really a matter of personal taste. Trunk space is very good - 15.9 cubic feet, and the space is very functional, plus the rear seats fold down 60/40. The main reason I chose the Passat was that, looked at as a whole package, I felt better about it than any of the others. It just feels extremely easy to live with, and also feels like a premium car but at a lower price than others on this list. There is nothing it doesn't do well, and some things it does great (did I mention the huge open airy comfortable cabin? Let me mention it again). Plus the dealership (Mossy VW in Escondido, CA) was more willing to work with me than other dealers. So I drove off with what I felt was the best car of the bunch, at the lowest price of the bunch, what's not to like? It's too new to give any reliability impressions - I might do that after I've had more time with the car.

Barry, 11/15/2016

Best in Class

I had been looking for a new car for months and was thinking Audi or Lexus. I preferred German engineering over all else as I used to own a BMW 328i but decided to sell it before major repairs became a common place situation. I went to my local VW dealer and saw the R Line in Black and realized I preferred the look of this car over the new A4. Took it for a test drive and fell in love. I don't know how the specifications are so low on the engine, 170 HP and 184 ft lb torque when it feels like it pulls like a much higher engine. I was extremely impressed by the package and with the incentive, acquired the car for slightly over $22k. Insane value. After the past few days I am in love. It's quiet, perky, handles extremely well, fuel efficient and beautiful to look at and sit in. I think VW really has a winner with this one. I look forward to owning this car for awhile.

Corey C., 11/1/2016

The R-line's sleek design and handling are A+

The R-line has a beautiful sporty design compared to the base S model. The 19in aluminum alloy wheels are stylish and really grip the road allowing for great tight handling; and the R-line's cabin is quiet even with the larger tires. Combined MPG is higher than EPA estimates of city/hwy 23/34, I'm currently getting about 31.5 (half hwy, half city). What makes the Passat R-line stand above it's competitors is it's technology and low price. The central info-entertainment system is far superior to it's competitors including the Camry, Optima, Legacy, and Madza 6. Also, it comes in a few thousand below the base prices of several of its competitors, making it an affordable yet very reliable option. As an added plus is the size of the cabin. It's huge compared to other midsize sedans. Overall, very impressive for a vehicle in the low 20s.

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2017 Volkswagen Passat video

BRYN MACKINNON: I'm Bryn MacKinnon from Edmunds, and this is an Edmunds Expert Rundown of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat. Regardless of how plain it might look from the outside, the Passat is still a strong choice when it comes to mid-size sedans. The current Passat has been around for about five years, and this year's model hasn't changed much either, but that isn't a huge knock for this VW. For years now, the Passat has offered a big, comfy back seat, a big trunk, and excellent interior materials. On the highway, the Passat gets up to speed quickly, thanks to one of two engines, a turbocharged four-cylinder or a non-turbocharged V6. Both are likeable engines with decent acceleration for the segment, but mileage is behind class leaders. Once you're up to speed, the Passat it is quiet and refined and makes for really easy commutes or road trips. It isn't as engaging to drive quickly, but all the midsize sedan basics are pretty much covered. Once you hop inside the Passat, you'll definitely notice how big the back seat is, a plus for Lyft drivers and parents with car seats. But up front, things aren't very modern. Volkswagen has gone with a function over form set of touchscreens, it seems, and with the Passat, that makes things feel a bit dated. The optional 6.3 inch touchscreen comes with modern stuff, like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It just isn't as visually pleasing as the systems in some rivals. The bottom line, with the 2017 Volkswagen Passat, is that it's a likeable sedan worth checking out, but you might be happier with a more modern rival. Be sure to check out competitors, like the Honda Accord, the Mazda 6, and the Ford Fusion. For more Expert Rundowns, click the link to subscribe.

2017 Volkswagen Passat Expert Rundown

Looking for a midsize sedan comfy enough for road trips and commuting? The 2017 Volkswagen Passat is a strong choice. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.

What do people think of the 2017 Volkswagen Passat?

Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for
the 2017 Volkswagen Passat and all its trim types.
Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Passat
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Edmunds Expert Reviews

Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Volkswagen Passat and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Passat featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.

Our Review Process

This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.

We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.

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